Question: I'm traveling to Austin soon and the only flights in the morning are on regional jets. Are they safe? How experienced are the pilots?

-- submitted by reader Paula, North Carolina

Answer: Yes, regional jets are safe. The pilots and flight attendants have completed extensive training and demonstrated their ability to handle normal and abnormal situations.

I ride on regional jets frequently and am not concerned about the safety of the flight. Additionally, I put my family on regional jets frequently. If I had any safety concerns, I would make other arrangements. That is the best example I can give you.

The experience level of regional pilots varies dramatically. One pilot I know who flies for a regional airline has more flight time that any other pilot I know. There are also some entry level first officers with much less experience. All of them have extensive training -- that is one of most important factors in safety.

Q: Do you believe there is a safety difference in flying regional aircraft compared to mainline flights?

-- Jeff, Boston

A: All airlines in the US are regulated to the same standard. The FAA requires the same standard of safety and operational excellence of mainline and regional airlines. Some airlines voluntarily exceed that standard, creating a safety difference.

While there is much attention focused on the regional airline safety record, my experience is that the safety attitude and commitment is more important that the size of the airline.

A: Both are safe. The accident rate for modern jets is very, very low. In some studies larger, long-haul airplanes show a lower accident rate, but the difference in the number of landings can provide a better picture.

The direct answer to your question is it depends on the way you look at the data (hours, miles or landings).

John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.